Shattered by Gary Beck

When love has departed
and only bitter dreams remain,
I think of midnight meetings
as we groped like two deaflings,
eager to touch each other,
until there was no more past.
Tonight a scorching pang
isolates the lost weavers,
crushing the hope of intertwine,
the shuttle of our woof and warp.

The goat god plays his mocking pipes,
my feet move in the ancient dance,
but my heart is as stone as statue.
I sit beside the turmoil pool
and watch the last angels
bow their heads in finality,
as the frigid moon passes by
and my love is deceased.


Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director. His chapbook ‘Remembrance’ was published by Origami Condom Press, ‘The Conquest of Somalia’ was published by Cervena Barva Press, ‘The Dance of Hate’ was published by Calliope Nerve Media, ‘Material Questions’ was published by Silkworms Ink, ‘Dispossessed’ was published by Medulla Press, ‘Mutilated Girls’ was published by Heavy Hands Ink and ‘Pavan and other poems’ was published by Indigo Mosaic. A collection of his poetry ‘Days of Destruction’ was published by Skive Press. Another collection ‘Expectations’ was published by Rogue Scholars Press and ‘Dawn in Cities’ is being published by Winter Goose Press. His novel ‘Acts of Defiance’ is being published by Trestle Press and ‘Extreme Change’ is being published by Cogwheel Press. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry and fiction has appeared in hundreds of literary magazines. He currently lives in New York City.


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Spot illustrations for Fall/Winter 2023 issue by Dana Emiko Coons

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